Chapter Twenty-Nine

Scarlett

It was a little strange to get ready for my first day at my new job while sharing the bathroom with Cameron. The whole house felt like a little beehive of activity. Ella was buzzing in and out, asking advice about which of her new dresses she should wear to school.

“I’m leaving early,” Cameron said, coming into the kitchen to rinse his coffee cup. “I want to talk to Ella’s teacher and give her the story before Ella gets a chance to share it. I don’t want it turning into some wild rescue story.”

He gave me a quick kiss and bolted out the door. I finished getting ready for work before heading out myself. I was nervous and excited at the same time for my new job.

“Good morning. I’m Scarlett Morgan,” I announced to the woman sitting at the front.

She smiled. “I know who you are. It’s good to meet you. I’m Tanya. I’ll show you around, and then you can get started.”

Tanya gave me the grand tour before leading me back to Cesar’s office. I was feeling good about my job. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. The studio was small and only employed about fifteen people, which I liked. I knew I would have more opportunities to practice my craft in a place like this rather than one of the bigger studios with a full staff of high-paid producers.

“How do you like it so far?” Cesar asked, gesturing for me to sit down.

“Everyone is great. I’m excited to get started.”

“Good. Do you have any musicians you’ve worked with?”

I shook my head, feeling a little embarrassed about my lack of real experience. “Not really. In college I did some producing, but nothing big.”

“Have you had a chance to enjoy the nightlife in Nashville? I think there’s live music on every street corner,” Cesar joked. “Everyone is looking for their chance to break into the industry.”

I shrugged. “I did hear a band at a local bar last week. They were awesome. A little rock, a little country, and very fun.”

“Did you get the name of the band?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Is that your preference in music?” he asked.

“I like most kinds of music, but I do tend to lean toward the country anthems and Southern rock style,” I said, hoping I wasn’t killing my chance at a future with the studio.

Cesar smiled. “Great! How about you track down that band and see if they’re signed. If not, let’s get them in here and cut a demo with you as the producer. That’ll give me an idea about what you can do, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll discover your first big thing.”

My eyes widened. “Seriously?”

He chuckled. “Absolutely. I want to see what you have to offer. Let’s be honest: If you don’t have what I’m looking for and you don’t like it here, why waste time?”

I nodded. “I won’t waste your time. I promise.”

“That’s what I like to hear. You can sit in with our other producer and get a feel for the controls and how things work.”

I nodded and jumped up, eager to get inside the booth.

The day flew by, and before I knew it, I was being sent to lunch. I called Cameron, eager to tell him my good news. The moment he answered the phone in a short, monotone voice, I knew things weren’t going well for him. I decided to keep my news to myself for the time being.

“What’s up?” I asked. “Did your insurance agent come out?”

“No. I’m at the station.”

“Oh,” I said, wondering if he’d decided to go to work after all.

“Yeah. The fire investigator said it was definitely arson. They found a gas can in the backyard with a rag shoved inside. Whoever started the fire likely assumed the can would be engulfed in the flames. It wasn’t. They got some fingerprints and are going to swab for DNA,” he said in a curt voice.

“Oh, well, that’s good. Hopefully they’ll catch who did it.”

He was silent. It was a heavy silence, and I knew he was angry with me, but I didn’t know why.

“Scarlett, would Isaac do this?” he said in a huff.

“I don’t know. Do you think it was him?” I asked, my blood running cold and my knees suddenly feeling weak.

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out soon enough,” he grumbled.

I waited for him to say something else. The awkward silence was killing me.

“Okay, well, I better get back to work. My break’s over,” I lied. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yep. Bye,” he said and hung up the phone.

I wanted to say Isaac couldn’t do anything like that, but that wasn’t true. Isaac was erratic. He’d been in town a couple days ago. Deep down, I knew there was a good chance Isaac had started the fire in an effort to get revenge. This was exactly why Cameron hadn’t wanted me in his life. Had I just made his biggest fear happen?

I pasted on a fake smile and headed back to work. I would deal with the Isaac situation later. By the time I got home, I had worked myself into a serious mood. If Isaac had started the fire that had destroyed Cameron’s home, I was convinced he was capable of physical harm toward me or Cameron or Ella. Worse, I had to wonder if he was capable of murder. Even thinking the word made my stomach churn.

Ella and Cameron arrived about twenty minutes after I did. I could see the anger and frustration in Cameron as he moved around, his jaw set in a firm line.

“Hi,” I said in a soft voice.

“We need to talk. Ella, sit tight. I’ll be right back,” he said before heading out the front door.

I followed him, worried he was going to tell me they had the proof they needed to hold Isaac responsible.

“What’s up?” I asked, nerves still churning in my belly.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done. I mean it. I will pay you back. I don’t want your charity.”

“It’s not charity. I like helping out. I’m in a position to do so.”

“I’m going to my mom’s house. Ella and I will be staying there.”

I blinked. “What? Why?”

“I don’t think it’s safe here. Being with you has put my daughter in danger,” he said matter-of-factly, as if he had a mountain of evidence to back up that statement.

“I understand you think it was Isaac, but you don’t know that for sure. Burning your house down and not mine is way out of character for him. I know he has said and done some pretty drastic things, but I don’t think he would commit a felony,” I reasoned.

“I’m sorry, but I do believe this is connected to Isaac’s recent appearance in town. He was served with that restraining order on Saturday and was none too pleased according the deputy I talked with. The TRO likely pushed him over the edge and he retaliated—against me. What if I had home, Scarlett? What if Ella had been there?”

“You weren’t, and neither was Ella, thankfully. Even if it was Isaac, I don’t think he would intentionally hurt a child,” I argued.

I could see his mind was made up. His tense shoulders and the way his jaw was set told me he held me responsible. It hurt. It also really pissed me off.

“Scarlett, I can’t stay here. I took the risk once, and look what it cost me.” His eyes moved over the front yard and to the pile of charcoal where his house had once stood.

“You can’t blame me for that!” I said, louder than I’d intended. “Even if it was Isaac, why punish me?”

“I’m not punishing you. I’m protecting my daughter.”

“Cameron, please—”

“Stop. You wouldn’t understand. You’re not a mother and don’t know what it’s like to love a child. I would quite literally lay down my life for my daughter. I cannot put her in danger. I just can’t. I’m sorry. Really, I am. I’m not mad at you, and I am certainly not taking this out on you. I need to put some distance between us. I’ll be in touch.” He turned and went back into the house.

Tears burned in my eyes. I didn’t know why I was so upset about them leaving. It wasn’t like they had moved in, and it wasn’t like we were a family. They had crashed for one night. No big deal.

Then why did it feel like he was ripping my heart out?

I took a few deep breaths, composed myself, and went back inside.

“Let Ella take some of her clothes,” I insisted.

“She’s got stuff at my mom’s,” Cameron replied without looking at me.

“Well, it isn’t like I’m going to wear them,” I snapped.

His blue eyes met mine. “Fine. She’ll take a couple.”

I grabbed a bag and helped Ella pick out three dresses. I packed up a few of her favorite books as well while Cameron grabbed the clothes I had bought him.

He was standing in the hallway when Ella and I emerged. “There’s a check on the bed. It should cover the cost of the clothes. I’ll pay you for the bedroom stuff later,” he said, not looking at me once again.

I rolled my eyes. I was going to tear the check to pieces. “Fine.”

I dropped low and gave Ella a big hug.

“I’m sorry we have to leave,” she said in a pouty voice. “I really liked it here.”

“I know, sweetie. It’s okay. You’ll have fun at Grandma and Grandpa’s house,” I assured her.

“Let’s go, kid,” Cameron said and walked out the front door. I watched from the front stoop as they loaded up. Cameron gave me one last look before he backed out and drove away.

I was alone once again. I looked over at the spot where Cameron’s house should have been and felt a cold shiver of fear race down my spine. Maybe it had been Isaac and his plan all along had been to get Cameron away. Cameron was a police officer and my protector. Isaac had removed him from the equation.

I looked up and down the street, suddenly feeling very alone. I went back inside, shut the door, and locked it tight before drawing all the blinds closed. I felt as if Isaac was out there, watching and waiting for the right time. The right time for what, I didn’t know.

Cameron believed Isaac was capable of arson. What if he was? What did that mean for my own safety? I quickly checked the three smoke detectors in my house. I could be next. I wanted every second possible to escape should I wake up to flames.

“Relax, Scarlett. You’re just as bad as Cameron, jumping to conclusions.”

I had hoped to reassure myself with the words. It didn’t work.